The EC is investigating an allegation that Pheu Thai's potential candidate for premiership Yingluck Shinawatra violated election law when she cooked fried noodles and distributed it to the voters during a May 31 campaign stop in Nakhon Ratchasima province. But at first glance, it is likely she did nothing wrong.

In this file photo, Pheu Thai’s prospective candidate for premiership stirfries noodles on grounds near the statue of Thao Suranaree during her election campaigning in Nakhon Ratchasima on May31. Yingluck Shinawatra isnow accused of giving food to voters in exchange for votes,which could violate the election law.

EC secretary-general Suthipol Thaweechaikarn said the EC had already received the findings of the investigation into the matter conducted by the Nakhon Ratchasima provincial election commission. The EC is scheduled to meet to consider the case on July 12.

"Preliminary results from the investigation show it was not an act of intending to cook the noodles to give them to supporters because a noodle vendor was cooking when Ms Yingluck arrived and she asked if she could help her with the cooking," he said.

Still, more witness accounts are needed before the EC can move forward on the case, he said.

The noodle complaint was filed with the EC by a Nakhon Sawan resident who had only seen a photo of Ms Yingluck cooking the noodles on the front page of a local newspaper, Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said.

The Nakhon Sawan resident then cut the picture from the newspaper and submitted it along with a complaint that Ms Yingluck had violated the law because she distributed the noodles in an effort to woo their support, Mr Prompong said.

He said this common campaign activity was not aimed at encouraging the people to vote for Ms Yingluck and the leaders of other parties had also cooked in front of their admirers.

Ms Yingluck said yesterday that she did not give away the noodles after she finished cooking them and that reporters who were there could back up her story.

Earlier yesterday, Kanok Siriphensopha, who headed the Nakhon Ratchasima election commission's probe, said his team had wrapped up the inquiry and sent the findings to the central EC.

The provincial commission had interviewed Chongrak Waeokhok, 63, who was the owner of the fried noodle stall that Ms Yingluck had cooked at, he said. Under the law Mr Kanok added that he could not disclose details of the investigating team's findings.

Mrs Chongrak told reporters that she liked Ms Yingluck and the Pheu Thai Party so she had prepared for the Pheu Thai candidate to do some cooking when she heard that she would be visiting central Nakhon Ratchasima on May 31. "Moreover, it was I who paid the 320 baht for the ingredients and the cooking equipment that Ms Yingluck used because I am an admirer of her," she said.

Yeah right. Thais don't give their votes in exchange for noodles, they do it for MONEY. I'm amazed the EC even has the nerve to consider such an investigation. I wonder how many yellow shirts are involved in these ridiculous allegations. Maybe, we should ask our Korat legal expert....or the nobody from Nakhon Sawan who filed the complaint. This is complete rubbish. My favorite part of this article is "The Noodle Complaint." LOL.

Mrs Chongrak told reporters that she liked Ms Yingluck and the Pheu Thai Party so she had prepared for the Pheu Thai candidate to do some cooking when she heard that she would be visiting central Nakhon Ratchasima on May 31.

It was just a PR show that she fried the famous Korat Noodles. But some opponent of hers felt he could make another PR show of it, could turn it around...

Democrat Party spokesman Buranaj Smutharaks says he opposes an Election Commission investigation into allegations that Yingluck Shinawatra, likely the next prime minister, broke the election law by giving food to voters.

Mr Buranaj yesterday said he disagreed with the EC's move to investigate an allegation that Ms Yingluck violated election law when she fried noodles and distributed them to voters during a May 31 campaign stop in Nakhon Ratchasima province.

Mr Buranaj said cooking in front of voters was a common campaign activity and the leaders of other parties had also done this during their campaigns.

The EC has already received the findings of the investigation into the matter by the Nakhon Ratchasima provincial election commission. The EC is set to consider the case on Tuesday.

Preliminary results from the investigation show Ms Yingluck's act was not premeditated because a noodle vendor was already cooking when Ms Yingluck arrived and asked if she could help, EC secretary-general Suthipol Thaweechaikarn said.

Still, more witness accounts are needed before the EC can move forward on the case.

Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said the party has evidence to disprove the allegation that Ms Yingluck broke the election law.

He claimed that there are certain parties behind the move to dissolve Pheu Thai.

Mr Prompong said he had a photo of Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva also cooking noodles while campaigning.

Cooking food in front of supporters was merely a symbolic gesture and all parties did it, he said.

The EC should not exploit this to discredit Pheu Thai, Mr Prompong said, adding that the EC must not show favour to any party when considering complaints.